Harold boyd



V UNITED STATES I PATENT FFICE.

HAROLD BQYD, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

Explos ve.

SPECIFICATION forming part of'Lettbrs Patent ITo.V577,351, dated February 16, 1897. Application filed November 2'7, 1896, s i l No, 613,554, (No specimens.) I,

a To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD BOYD, mining- -engineer, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain,residing at No. 177 Bromsgrove Street, 5 Birmingham, in the county of \Varwick, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosives, of which the following is a specification.

' This invention has chiefly for-its object to produce a powerful and safe blasting explosive that can be fired without a detonator and which after firing will not leave behind poisonous or noxious fumes, which are particularly objectionable when using ordinary blasting explosives in confined places.

For the purpose of my invention I employ the ingredients hereinafter mentioned, with which I mix a substance that is capable of absorbing any noxious gases evolved when no the explosive is'fired. I have found by experiments that the best-substance to use with the ingredients herein stated is a hydrated oxid of iron, such as Irish bog ore, this substance being carefully dried and finely pul- 2 5 verized prior to its admixture with the other ingredients.

In manufacturing my explosive I employ the following ingredients in or about the proportions stated: nit-rate of potash, seven 3o.parts by weight; commercial sulfur, three parts by Weight; Irish bog ore, two parts by I weight; nitrate of baryta,two parts by weight; picric acid, one part by weight, and wooddust, one part by weight.

' The aforesaid ingredients are mixed together in a dry state either by hand or meehanicai'ly, as is well understood by persons acquainted with the manufacture ofexplosives. I

The explosive may be used in the form of 40 loose powder or be compressed into cartridges according to requirements. I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact proportions of the ingredients above stated, as such proportions may be varied according to the strength of explosive required. The use of the said explosive is not confined to blasting purposes alone, as it may, also be used for ballistic purposes. 5

,I claini- An explosive characterized by its capability of being fired without a detonator and of absorbing the noxious fumes or gases evolved on firing, and consisting of a mixture of 111- 5 5 trate of potash, sulfur, nitrate of baryta, pieric acid, wood-dust and a fume absorbent such as dry pulverized bog ore or other hydrated oxid of iron.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set any hand this (5th day of November, 1896.

HAROLD BOYD.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR A. BERGIN, WM. NULLERSH JACKSON. 

